UNAIDS on Tuesday “reported accelerated progress in combating HIV/AIDS in much of the world, with significant decreases in new infections and deaths, but worrying signs persist that some regions and countries are falling behind in the global battle,” the U.N. News Centre reports (11/20). “In a report [.pdf] launched ahead of World AIDS Day, UNAIDS said that new HIV infections have been on the rise in Eastern Europe and Central Asia by 13 percent since 2006, while the Middle East and North Africa has seen a doubling of new HIV infections since 2001,” Xinhua notes (11/20). “The report … argues that the next stage in addressing the global pandemic ought to focus on specific locations and key populations at a higher risk of HIV exposure,” Al Jazeera writes (11/21). “‘Every person counts. If we are going to keep our pledge of leaving no one behind, we have to make sure HIV services reach everyone in need,’ UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said,” according to RTT News (11/20). The report includes updated epidemiologic data and highlights the epidemic among children and people over age 50, according to a UNAIDS press release (11/20).